Polyvagal Theory

Topic

Polyvagal theory is a collection of proposed evolutionary, neuroscientific, and psychological constructs pertaining to the role of the vagus nerve in emotion regulation, social connection, and fear responses. Introduced in 1994 by Stephen Porges, the theory is popular among some clinical practitioners and patients, though multiple aspects of it have been criticized by neuroanatomists and researchers for being at odds with established science.